GB2405918A

GB2405918A - Driveshaft and fan housing assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2405918A
Application number: GB0416774A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stefan Rauschenbach; Gerd Diessner
Original assignee: GKN Walterscheid GmbH
Current assignee: Walterscheid GmbH
Priority date: 2003-09-11
Filing date: 2004-07-28
Publication date: 2005-03-16
Anticipated expiration: 2024-07-28
Also published as: DE10342330B4; FR2859774B1; NL1026663A1; DE10342330A1; ITMI20041685A1; FR2859774A1; NL1026663C2; GB0416774D0; GB2405918B

Abstract

A driving assembly comprising a driveshaf 2; driveshaft guard 1 rotatably accommodating the driveshaft 2; a fan with a first fan housing part 3 connected to the driveshaft guard 1 in a rotationally fast way; with a second fan housing part 4 connected to the first fan housing part 3 in a rotationally fast way; and having a fan wheel 5 which is received between the two fan housing parts 3, 4 and which is at least axially fixed and connected to the driveshaft 2 and arranged so as to rotate therewith around an axis of rotation 6. The arrangement provides easy access to the fan for maintenance.

Description

Title: Driving Assembly

Description of Invention

This invention relates to a driving assembly with a driveshaft which is rotatably received in a driveshaft guard. Furthermore, there is provided a fan which is arranged so as to rotate with the driveshaft and which serves to cool a gearbox.

DE 43 36 789 C1 shows a gearbox with a housing from which there rotatably project at least two attaching journals for being connected to driving or driven gear elements. At least one of the attaching journals is surrounded by a guard element which is secured to the housing. In the guard element there is accommodated a fan wheel which is connected to the attaching journal in a rotationally fast way. The guard element comprises a suction channel for sucking in air, and an outlet channel for blowing out air. When the attaching journal rotates, the fan wheel rotates together with the attaching journal and ensures that air flows against the housing of the gearbox. This improves the heat discharge from the housing. However, because the guard element is fixed to the housing and the fan wheel is fixed to the attaching journal, accessibility is restricted, which means that the maintenance of the fan is laborious.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a driving assembly which ensures easy fan maintenance.

In accordance with the invention, the objective is achieved by a driving assembly comprising: a driveshaft; a driveshaft guard in which the driveshaft is rotatably received; and a fan having a first fan housing part connected to the driveshaft guard in a rotationally fast way, having a second fan housing part connected to the first fan housing part in a rotationally fast way, and having a fan wheel, which is received between the two fan housing parts and which is at least axially fixed to the driveshaft and arranged so as to be rotatable therewith about an axis of rotation.

The fan housing, which comprises the first fan housing part and the second fan housing part, is thus firmly connected to the driveshaft guard and forms a unit therewith. In total, the driveshaft, the driveshaft guard and the fan form one unit which can be coupled to a gearbox with a shaft journal. When using the proposed driving assembly as a driveshaft it is thus ensured that when maintenance work or repair work has to be carried out on the fan, the driveshaft merely has to be disconnected from the shaft journal of the gearbox in order to achieve easy accessibility to the fan.

When there are provided anti-rotation means with the help of which the possible angle of rotation of the driveshaft guard relative to the gearbox is at least limited, it is ensured that the driveshaft guard is held in a rotationally fast way relative to the drive housing of the gearbox and does not rotate with the driveshaft. Personnel are thus not placed at risk by rotating components. The anti-rotation means can be formed by connecting means at the second fan housing part, which are intended to provide a rotationally fast connection between the second fan housing part and the housing of the gearbox.

In a preferred embodiment, the driveshaft comprises at least one universal joint with a first joint yoke and a second joint yoke, with the first joint yoke being intended to be connected to the shaft journal of the gearbox. The fan wheel is at least axially fixed on the first joint yoke and connected thereto.

It is thus ensured that the fan wheel is axially secured, so that it is safely held on the first joint yoke when the driveshaft is not connected.

The fan wheel can comprise a hub which comprises means for connecting the fan wheel to the shaft journal in a rotationally fast way. Such means are preferably formed by a projection which extends radially inwardly towards an axis of rotation of the first joint yoke and which is intended to engage a longitudinal toothing of the shaft journal. However, the hub can also comprise an inner profile which corresponds to the outer profile of the shaft journal, so that the entire hub can be slid onto the shaft journal, contributing with its entire inner circumferential face to the transmission of torque.

The hub can be releasably connected to the fan wheel, which means that different hubs can be connected to the fan wheel, with the hubs being adapted to certain shaft journal profiles. The same fan wheel can therefore be used for different shaft journal profiles.

The first fan housing part may comprise at least one fan inlet aperture for drawing in air. The second fan housing part may comprise at least one fan outlet aperture to allow the exit of drawn-in air and, when the driveshaft is coupled to the shaft journal, the at least one fan outlet aperture faces the gearbox, so that the outflowing air flows against the housing of the gearbox.

The first fan housing part and the second fan housing part may comprise an outer diameter which is greater than the greatest outer diameter of the driveshaft guard. The at least one air inlet aperture and the at least one air outlet aperture may be formed by circular grid or network structures.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will be described below in greater detail with reference to the drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is an exploded view of a driving assembly with a gearbox; Figure 2 is a rear view of a joint yoke of the driveshaft and of the fan wheel in the unmounted condition; Figure 3 is a longitudinal section through the joint yoke and the fan according to Figure 2 in the mounted condition.

Figure 1 shows a driveshaft guard 1 in which a driveshaft 2 is rotatably received. A first fan housing part 3 is connected to the driveshaft guard in a rotationally fast way. Furthermore, the first fan housing part 3 is connected to a second fan housing part 4 in a rotationally fast way, with the first fan housing part 3 and the second housing part 4 accommodating a fan wheel 5 between them. The fan wheel 5 is rotatable about an axis of rotation 6. Furthermore, the second fan housing part 4 is connected to a housing 7 of a gearbox 8. A shaft journal 9 which projects from the housing 7 is connected in a rotationally fast way to a universal joint of the driveshaft 2 for torque transmitting purposes.

It is thus possible to drive the shaft journal 9 of the gearbox 8 by means of the driveshaft 2 for the purpose of driving an implement, e.g. an agricultural implement. To ensure that operatives are not placed at risk by rotating parts, the driveshaft guard 1 is connected in a rotationally fast way to the housing 7 of the gearbox 8 via the fan housing parts 3, 4.

The driveshaft guard 1 comprises a guard cone 10 in which there is received a universal joint of the driveshaft 2. Furthermore, the driveshaft guard 1 comprises a guard tube 1 1 which is connected to the guard cone 10 and in which there is received a shaft portion 12 of the driveshaft 2, with the shaft portion 12 being arranged between two universal joints ofthe driveshaft 2.

The guard cone 10 is flexible, so that when the universal joint accommodated therein is articulated, the guard cone 10, too, can be articulated.

The first fan housing part 3 comprises a central first connecting portion 13 in the form of a tubular portion which can be introduced into an aperture 14 of the guard cone 10, which aperture 14 faces the first fan housing part 3. The guard cone 10 can be fixed in a rotationally fast way on the first connecting portion 13, for example by means of a clamping strip, bolts or other connecting means. A grid or grille structure 15 forms an air inlet aperture which faces away from the gearbox 8. The grid structure 15 is arranged between an outer circumferential face 16 and the first connecting portion 13 of the first fan housing part 3. The grid structure 15 is circular and extends transversely to the axis of rotation 6. The outer diameter of the outer circumferential face 16 is greater than the outer diameter of the guard cone 10.

The outer circumferential face 16 comprises circumferentially uniformly distributed recesses 17 which accommodate projections 18 on the outer circumferential face 19 of the second fan housing part 4. The recesses 17 and i the projections 18 ensure a rotationally fast connection between the first fan housing part 3 and the second fan housing part 4. Furthermore, threaded or latching connections can be provided to ensure axial security.

Furthermore, the second connecting portion 20 comprises means for providing a rotationally fast connection between the second fan housing part 4 and the housing 7 of the gearbox 8 in the form of a second connecting portion 20, it can be connected in a rotationally fast way to the connecting means 21 at the housing 7.

Between the second connecting portion 20 and the outer circumferential face 19, there is provided a further grid structure 22 which forms an air outlet aperture. The grid structure 22 is circular in shape and is arranged transversely to the axis of rotation 6. Furthermore, the grid structure 22 faces the housing 7 of the gearbox 8. The fan wheel 5 comprises a hub 30 whose profile corresponds to that of the shaft journal 9. There is thus achieved a rotationally i fast connection between the fan wheel 5 and the Shaft journal 9. Thus, when the shaft journal 9 rotates, the fan wheel 5 also rotates, so that air can be drawn in through the grid structure of the first fan housing part 3 and can flow out through the grid structure 22 of the second fan housing part 4, with air flowing against the housing 7 of the gearbox 8 for cooling purposes.

Figures 2 and 3 show the connection between the fan wheel and the driveshaft and will be described jointly blow.

Figures 2 and 3 show a first joint yoke 23 of the universal joint received in the guard cone according to Figure 1. The first joint yoke 23 comprises a hollow shaft portion 24 for being connected to the shaft journal 9. For this purpose, the hollow shaft portion 24 comprises a central bore 25 which extends coaxially relative to the axis of rotation 6 and whose inner profile corresponds to the profile of the shaft journal 9. The first joint yoke 23 can thus be slid onto the shaft journal 9, forming a positive, form-fitting rotational connection.

To provide axial security, an outer circumferential groove 26 is provided i in the shaft journal 9. In the coupled condition of the first joint yoke 23 and the shaft journal 9, an axially displaceable securing pin 27 engages the outer circumferential groove 26 in order to axially secure the first joint yoke 23 on the shaft journal. The securing pin 27 can be displaced transversely to the axis of rotation 6, so that the outer circumferential groove 26 is released when the securing pin 27 is pulled out.

10In an outer face 28 of the hollow shaft portion 24, there is provided a circumferential groove 29 for fixing the fan wheel 5. For this purpose, the fan wheel 5 comprises a hub 30 with a bore 31 arranged coaxially relative to the axis of rotation 6. The bore 31 comprises an annular projection 32 which extends radially inwardly towards the axis of rotation 6 and which, in the mounted condition of the fan 5, is positioned in the circumferential groove 29.

In the region of the annular projection 32, the hub 30 is elastically deformable, so that the fan wheel 5 can be slid on to the first joint yoke 23 into engagement. i In the mounted condition, the fan wheel 5 projects towards the housing of the gearbox according to Figure 1. Furthermore, in the bore 31, there is provided a projection 33 which extends radially inwardly towards the axis of rotation 6.

The projection 33 engages the profile of the shaft journal 9, so that, when the first joint yoke 23 is coupled, there is achieved a rotationally fast connection between the fan wheel 5 and the shaft journal 9.

When used in this specification and claims, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse i forms thereof.

Claims

1. A driving assembly comprising: i a driveshaft; a driveshaft guard in which the driveshaft is rotatably received; and a fan having a first fan housing part connected to the driveshaft guard in a rotationally fast way, having a second fan housing part connected to the first fan housing part in a rotationally fast way, and having a fan wheel which is received between the two fan housing parts and which is at least axially fixed to the driveshaft and arranged so as to be rotatable therewith about an axis of rotation.

2. A driving assembly according to Claim 1, wherein there are provided anti-rotation means by which the possible angle of rotation of the driveshaft guard relative to a gearbox is at least limited.

3. A driving assembly according to Claim 2, wherein the anti-rotation i means are formed by connecting means at the second fan housing part which are intended to provide a rotationally fast connection between the second fan housing part and a housing of a gearbox.

4. A driving assembly according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the driveshaft comprises at least one universal joint with a first joint yoke and a second joint yoke, the first joint yoke is provided to establish a connection with a shaft journal, and the fan wheel is at least axially fixed on the first joint yoke.

5. A driving assembly according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the fan wheel comprises a hub which comprises means for providing a rotationally fast connection between the fan wheel and the shaft journal.

6. A driving assembly according to Claim 5, wherein the means for providing a rotationally fast connection are formed by a projection which extends radially inwardly towards the axis of rotation and which is intended to engage a longitudinal toothing of the shaft journal.

7. A driving assembly according to Claim 5 or Claim 6, wherein the hub comprises an internal profile which corresponds to the external profile of the shaft journal. i

8. A driving assembly according to any one of Claims 5 to 7, wherein the hub is releasably connected to the fan wheel.

9. A driving assembly according to any one of Claims 1 to 8, wherein the first fan housing part comprises at least one air inlet aperture and that the second fan housing part comprises at least one air outlet aperture.

10. A driving assembly according to Claim 9, wherein the first fan housing part and the second fan housing part have an outer diameter which is greater than the maximum outer diameter of the driveshaft guard and the at least one air inlet aperture and the at least one air outlet aperture are formed by circular grid or network structures.

11. A driving assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

12. Any novel feature or novel combination of features described herein and/or in the accompanying drawings.